Thrift shop discoveries and flea market finds give L.A. loft its bohemian flair

Kramer and Heller relax on their chenille-covered sofa — a thrift store find — in Kramer’s office. An array of nude studies, two of them painted by Kramer, hang on the wall. The couple live and work together and when the spirit moves them, put on their tap shoes and dance around like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. “The loft’s concrete floors are great to tap dance on,” Kramer says.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The couple found a primitive dual portrait in an alley near their home. “I liked the painting’s colors, especially the blue,” Kramer says. “The portrait on the left reminds me of a cross between Spike Lee and Groucho Marx — it’s very comical.”  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The fashion designer moved from a San Fernando Valley bungalow into the downtown loft a decade ago, falling under the spell of the picturesque brick building, overgrown with bougainvillea and climbing roses. Two years ago, she and Heller broke through to the adjacent loft, doubling their living space. Kramer placed the couple’s bedroom in a corner; an aubergine-hued fabric she purchased in France drapes the cozy nook, and French artwork decorates the walls.   (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Expanding the loft allowed the couple to have their own work spaces. A large bust of Michelangelo’s David, which Heller found at a downtown prop house, takes center stage in his office area.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Behind Heller’s desk is ball gown that Kramer designed to highlight street art and fashion. The dress originally had an underskirt hand-painted with graffiti imagery.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Heller keeps his collection of American pens in a glass case by his office. All have undergone a thorough cleaning and restoration. “I buy old things because I fall in love with them. These early fountain pens have such a nice weight and hand to them,” he says. “New ones feel so plastic.”  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Einstein keeps eclectic company in Heller and Kramer’s loft.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The suit’s hand-sewn tie is studded with Swarovski crystals.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

A 19th century pie-shape dining table with an accompanying bench — another thrift store find — marks the hub of the loft. The open kitchen lies beyond.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

A papier-mache Bugs Bunny that Kramer found on the street across from the St. Vincent de Paul thrift shop stands in her sewing corner next to the front door. “He’s my all-time favorite cartoon character,” she says. “He’s always getting flattened — but he always gets right back up.”  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

An old display cabinet near the bedroom showcases Kramer’s favorite vintage shoes. “I have another 50 or 60 pairs in boxes,” she says. “I’ve actually worn 90% of them.”  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

In the center of the newly expanded loft, Kramer and her sheepdog stand near a water fountain salvaged from a home in the Valley.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Kramer took a dry toothbrush to clean the bronze base of the thrift store lamp but managed to keep its old world patina; the vintage shade came from another lamp.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The industrial loft window brings light into a corner sitting area filled with thrift shop furnishings. Kramer has mannequins stationed around the apartment that she dresses in her vintage clothes, as well as with her own fashion creations. To the right of the window, a glass cabinet holds her collection of old textiles.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Fashion designer Kramer frequently talks with neighbors on the street from a window in her second-story downtown loft.

For the complete story and print layout, look for the Home section in the Jan. 3 edition of the L.A. Times. For tours of other Southern California apartments, condos and houses, bookmark our Homes of The Times gallery.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)